Pressure System Safety RegulationsIf a pressure system (such as a compressed gas cylinder) fails, the result can be an uncontrolled release of energy which can cause serious injuries.

The overall intention of the Pressure System Safety Regulations, which came into force on 21 February 2000, is to prevent such a failure.

The regulations give legal support to existing safe practices so that, where existing units are in a safe condition, only minor changes should be necessary to satisfy the regulations.

Duties under the regulations

Normally the owner of a leased pressure system (such as BOC Sureserve) will carry out some of the duties in accordance with a written agreement.

These include ensuring that a suitable examination scheme is drawn up, that the system is certified by a competent person, and that any modifications are carried out according to recommendations.

The owner must also provide operating instructions, ensure that the system is properly maintained, and keep records.

Licensee's responsibilities

Your statutory duties are to ensure the pressure system is used according to the operating instructions.

You should not allow the system to be operated:

unless the safe operating limits have been established

after the date of the next due examination (you can find this date on the label)

if specified repairs or modifications have not been carried out by the date given in any examination report

if you receive an examination report from a competent person stating that there is imminent danger unless specified repairs and modifications or changes to the operating conditions are made

If you cease to be the licensee, you must hand all documents relating to the pressure system to your successor.

Pressure system safety precautions

A number of pressure systems, such as Gasgen, SureBlend or Cellasure, are used to produce compressed gases for dispensing drinks. This equipment must be used safely and in accordance with the Pressure Systems Regulations. The safety information provided in this section will help you fulfil your statutory duties.

Pressure systems

When your pressure system was installed, the pressure was set correctly for each draught drink on the system. Do not alter, modify or adjust the pressures, as this could make the system unsafe.
You must ensure that anyone who uses the equipment is properly trained. Keep a record of the people you train and authorise to use it, together with the date the training was given.
Air receivers collect water if they are not drained daily. Some models require daily manual draining, but most have automatic drains. All other servicing is normally carried out by the supplier.

Air separation units

Air separation units such as the BOC Sureserve Gasgen generate nitrogen by extracting it from the surrounding air. The gas is used as a pressure source for driving beer pumps and for blending with carbon dioxide to provide gas mixtures for top pressure. Air separation units are electrically operated and fully automatic.
Do not switch your unit off or adjust it. The only routine task is to change the carbon dioxide cylinders when they are empty. All other maintenance should be carried out by the gas supplier who provided the system.

Blending units

Blending units such as BOC Sureserve SureBlend and Cellasure take in carbon dioxide and a mixture of 30% carbon dioxide and 70% nitrogen and automatically blend them to give additional gas mixtures (60/40 and 50/50) for dispensing a range of drinks. The units function as a primary regulator with pre-set pressures for each gas mixture output.
You should never attempt to adjust the system. All you have to do is change the carbon dioxide and 30/70 mixed gas cylinders when they are empty. All other routine maintenance work should be carried out the by gas supplier.

Cask beer

Casks operate at low pressures. Sometimes they are operated under top pressures from the pressure system, in which case they are protected from over-pressure. Do not interfere with the equipment or connect any cask to other parts of the pressure system.

Cellar tanks

Beer tanks work at a specified maximum pressure and are protected against overpressure.
There is also a pressure relief valve mounted directly on the tank. Do not interfere with the setting of any pressure reducing valves or pressure relief valves.
Do not connect the cellar tanks to another part of the pressure system.

Cleaning bottles

The conditions of temperature and pressure that are printed on the bottle. The line used to connect the cleaning bottle will have been pre-set to the correct pressure.
Use the cleaning bottle supplied only on the pressure point provided for it (the pressure and/or fittings may not be compatible with cleaning bottles from other suppliers).
Use only cold water and the recommended detergent/cleaning agents. After each use, rinse the bottle and leave it without any applied pressure. Ensure that it is not exposed to any source of heat or left in any area where it may become exposed to direct sunlight. Follow all directions printed on the label. Do not adjust or interfere with any pressure equipment in the gas pressure line feeding the cleaning bottle.

Gas cylinders

Dispense gas cylinders, which contain carbon dioxide or nitrogen or a mixture of the two, are filled at high pressure and must be carefully stored and handled to avoid the possibility of damage or leakage.